Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

[Too Fast For ComfortToo Slow For Comfort]

I see that the park is listed to he open til 1am on New Year's Eve. Does this mean all the rides will stay open til that time?

Also, is it likely to be crowded? I've never been to a theme park on New year's eve

Rule of thumb: for these 365 day parks, pretty much any day outside of summer vacation that kiddies have off (remember to factor in the school year of all districts across the country, not just Florida's) will bring intense crowds. Over the summer, you spread it out over three months, outside of the summer, the kiddies and their parents jam their time into the weekends, holidays, and breaks. You can get some pretty good days in if you specifically plan on going days that school districts across the country are generally in school. But on holidays that virtually have district has off, you know it'll be mobbed.

These parks -- no matter who they are -- just live and die by when the kiddies are in school. Ironically, the one chain that's the most insulated by this is Disney -- as they plan to have some adult friendly things, and families are so addicted that parents will actually pull their kids from school just to take Disney vacations. Regional parks rely on the group trips and field trips to fill their parks when the kiddies are in school.

[ytterbiumanalystWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Is it weird that the part about this that made me the happiest is that they're designing this road with terrible drivers in mind?

[jedimaster1227Delicious & Refreshing]

The Universal Orlando Resort has release new details about this year's Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida! Check out all of the concert lineup, parade and food details below!

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/mardi-gras/index.html

Music’s Biggest Acts Live In Concert
You can’t have a great party without great music. On select nights of Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras, catch performances from some of the biggest names in pop, rock, country, R&B and more at the Music Plaza stage.

Check back for more talent announcements.

Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida™ the entire day on Mardi Gras concert dates.

• Saturday, Feb. 9 - BUSH - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Feb. 16 - Gavin DeGraw - 8:30 pm
• Sunday, Feb. 17 - Dan + Shay - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Feb. 23 - Macklemore - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Mar. 2 - To Be Announced - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Mar. 9 - Becky G - 8:30 pm
• Sunday, Mar. 10 - Sean Paul - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Mar. 16 - S teve Miller Band - 8:30 pm
• Sunday, Mar. 17 - Ziggy Marley - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Mar. 23 - NF - 8:30 pm
• Sunday, Mar. 24 - Pitbull - 8:30 pm
• Saturday, Mar. 30 - To Be Announced - 8:30 pm
• Sunday, Mar. 31 - To Be Announced - 8:30 pm

Party Procession

Join the Parade
Gather with your fellow party animals to see our stilt walkers, dancers and street performers get in touch with their wild side amidst floats themed around creatures from the jungle, Arctic, swamp, ocean and sky. Let the good times roll as our colorful menagarie parades through the streets of Universal Studios Florida™. Confetti will fly as countless strands of beads are tossed into the crowd at this wild and wonderful evening event.

Where and When to See It
Enjoy the sights, sounds and excitement of the parade every night of Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras.

Where To See It
A little boy sits on his father's shoulders as they both laugh while enjoying Universal Studios Orlando's Mardi Gras event.

Created Just for Kids
The Little Jester’s Parade Viewing Area located in front of the Brown Derby Hat Shop offers an unobstructed view for petite partygoers. Access is available beginning one hour before the parade starts.

A Taste of New Orleans

The French Quarter Courtyard
Open Everyday at 4 pm

Experience the real feel of The Big Easy: Universal Studios’ New York area becomes New Orleans with the addition of the French Quarter Courtyard, a space dedicated to “N’awlins Style Food and Spirits.” Sit down with sizzling Cajun food (available for purchase), enjoy the sounds of sweet Southern music, and let the good times roll.

Authentic Tunes
With a rich history of soulful performers, New Orleans is often considered to be the birthplace of true American music. Experience the city’s signature sound with performances by real Louisiana jazz, blues and zydeco bands.

• Feb. 9–17: Dirty Bourbon River Show
• Feb. 18–27: Naughty Professor Brass Band
• Feb. 28–Mar. 18: Free Agents Brass Band featuring Honey Bannister
• Mar. 19–Apr. 4: New Breed Brass Band

True Cajun Cuisine
We’re cooking up some of the bayou’s best dishes to give you an authentic taste of New Orleans fare, available for purchase. Enjoy jambalaya, beignets and more in tasting sizes so you can sample a variety of Cajun and Creole cuisine.

[Coasterguy21Yummy! I just ate donkey!]

Construction walls have gone up in the Triceratops Encounter area of Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Will be interesting to see if this turns out to be the thrilling rollercoaster that has been rumored to fill the void left by Dragon Challenge.

In another interesting note, Screamscape reported that Universal has filed a trademark for "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous". It is unclear if this is for the Orlando park or one of the overseas parks, however (as the Jurassic World franchises have performed really well worldwide). It could become the updated version of the present Camp Jurassic. A popular rumor is that Jurassic Park won't see the overhaul that Hollywood is seeing and, instead, Jurassic World may just go in the rumored future park. Guess we just have to ride the rumors out and see what comes. Just no overuse of video screens, please?

[AUWentCan I park my donkey here?]

Construction walls have gone up in the Triceratops Encounter area of Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Will be interesting to see if this turns out to be the thrilling rollercoaster that has been rumored to fill the void left by Dragon Challenge.

In another interesting note, Screamscape reported that Universal has filed a trademark for "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous". It is unclear if this is for the Orlando park or one of the overseas parks, however (as the Jurassic World franchises have performed really well worldwide). It could become the updated version of the present Camp Jurassic. A popular rumor is that Jurassic Park won't see the overhaul that Hollywood is seeing and, instead, Jurassic World may just go in the rumored future park. Guess we just have to ride the rumors out and see what comes. Just no overuse of video screens, please?

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-jurassic-park-roller-coaster-headed-to-islands-of-adventure-documents-show/906446496

Here's some more info that was released today.

[coasterbillWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Damn, this is some exciting stuff.

[A.J.Counts I305 as 32 credits...]

If they get their own version of The Flying Dinosaur, I will be absolutely thrilled.

[coasterbillWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Initially I was thinking the same thing but I guess the prevailing rumor seems to be an Intamin launcher (though I haven't been following this closely enough to know where the rumor came from or how credible it is). There's also an absolutely spectacular flying coaster like 5 miles away which probably makes it less of a novelty but I don't know if Universal necessarily cares.

^ I heard the Intamin launch rumor too. Considering Universal Orlando has worked with Intamin for their new coaster this year and Gringotts, it'd make some sense.

[AUWentCan I park my donkey here?]

I mean, I would've loved a NextGen B&M invert, but I'm just thrilled they're putting out a big thrill coaster to make up for the loss of Dragons.